The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1887-06-08

ganized, and disguised bands, using all the
agencies OF terror and superstition that could
affect the mind OF an ignorant and increduloas
people with such success that in ten years after
the war the freedmen OF the South could not, AS
a rule, vote wherever their vote would change
the result. they could hold no office, and might
be- cheated and robbed and murdered with I'M
punity. This intimidation was. In many places,
especially in the far South. extended 70 white
Republicans OF character ana intelligence,
among them some Confederate soldiers, who
resisted as far they could these atrocities,
and were branded with opprobrious epithets.
tabooed and ostracized and in some cases
murdered. Does any man deny thisT All TINS
and more,
IN HIpEoUs DETAIL,
was proven before committees OF Congress;
was reported by officers OF the army, ana
evidenced by every form OF proof known TO
courts, and in many cases was admitted Dy
the press and people OF the South and de-
Tended. General Raum, distinguished citi-
zen OF Illinois, has, in the book have before
me. compiled and condensed this evidence
and say to you that no man can read IL with
out being convinced that all say Is true with
revolving "details that do not give. In this way
and by these means the Democratic party in
the South now hold in solid and unbroken array
every Southern State with increased political
power conferred by the freedom of the slaves.
This is the ba sis OF their power. Without the
terror and ostracism have described, several
of these States, governed by their interests and
convictions enlightened by free discussion,
'emancipated in fact well as in name, would
be as thoroughly Republican as Illinois Ii is
SAID tlut THIS Is raising the DlOOuy
newing the animosities OF the war. l deny IL.
The charge is an unjust reproach of Confederate
soldiers. What speak OF is not the work OF
soldiers but of towards and criminals, not in
war, but in peace. i pity the man who cannot
disting ush between the duty of soldiers and
self-imposed cruelties and barbarous methods
born of slavery.
What has been the course of the Democratic
party OF the North while these events have been
going on? At first there was a doubt and denial,
but now no honest man can doubt, unless Will
Oil No xxffl nf
manhood who hates these methods can shield
himself behind doubt on disbelief.
And, fellow citizens, this is not thing OF the
past. IL is n continuing fact. 1t is a fact to-
day. There is not an intelligent man in this
broad land. of either party, who does not know
that Mr. Cleveland is now President of the
United States by virtue of
CRIMES AGAINST THE ELECTIVE FRANCHISE,
includ ne murder. arson, ballot-box stufhng,
forgery and perjury but for which james e.
Blaine would now be in his place. There has
not been moment since the adoption OF the
hfteenth amendment when IL there could have
been fair election for President, majority of
the constitutional voters OF at least five Of the
Southern States would not have voted for the
Republican nominee.
The poison of the success of these methods
has already affected the election in some OF
the great cities OF the North. especially in
Chicago and Cincinnati, where, under the
lead of Mackin and Tosney, the criminal
classes adopted some OF the meanest OF
crimes TO control elections Why should they
not? If crime should be resorted to by the
white Democrats Of the South to cheat and
intimidate poor negroes in the South, why
should not white Democrats OF the North be
permitted to resort to forgery and perjury 20
peacefully change the result of an election in
the North? Why discriminate against Mackin
and Tosney by sending them to the penitentary
while sending Democrats of the South, by
means OF like offenses, to the Senate and the
House, and to represent the great Republic in
foreign courts?
But it is said that the Republican party was
in power while these crimes were committed !;
why did it not prevent or punish them? This
question should be fairly and frankly answered.
When, by the detection OF Andrew johnson,
the South encouraged to commence the
policy Of intimidation, the Republican party
was utterly helpless to resist IL. IL was during
his administration, and with the sympathy of
the Democratic party that the massacre of
colcred people in New Orleans, and riots and
violence in different portions OF the South oc-
CURED, and especially the organization and
the cruel and brutal work Of the Kuklux Khan,
and other secret oath-bound associations took
place 1t was under the shadow of
THESE TRAGIC EVENTS
that the election Of 1868 occurred. IL was TO de-
feat Gen. Grant that the two wings of the Dem
ocratic party tapped together, one led by Boss
Tweed, OF New York, and his election forgers
and dead beats, the other by the kuklux Klans.
In spite OF all this, however, Gen. Grant
elected President of the United States. IL was
then the Republican party in Congress proposed
the hfteenth amendment, which, it was be-
lieved, would secure to the colored men the
protection of the ballot and the power OF self
defense The result is we'll known. This con-
stitutional provision was openly nullihed Col
ored men were deprived of the right to vote in
counties, districts, and States where their vote
could change the result. IL intimidation was
necessary il was resorted to, even to the extent
of murder. II cheating, or forged returns, or
tissue ballots, or numerous boxes to deceive
and entrap the Ignorant or the destruction OF
the boxes, or the refusal of the Judges to serve
whatever trick or means were necessary to
defeat the right Of the Republican voter were
resorted 10.
the Constitution, see no remedy. 1t was pro-
posed by the Republicans in Congress to pass a
bill, called the force bill, intended to arm the
executive authorities with ample power to de-
fend the colored people against these outrages.
1 always thought that this bill should have
passed but the strong feeling of repugnance
against such Legislation in the North led many
leading Republicans to vote TO delay. POSTPONE,
and finally TO defeat it. But General Grant,
under existing law, did commence and prose-
cute with diligence and effect some Of the worst
cases, especially in South Carolina, where the
organization and methods of the clans We're
fully disclosed by judicial testimony clear
that even the Hon. Reverdy johnson, the attor-
ney for the defendants said
q have listened with unmixed horror to some
OF the testimony which has been brought be-
fore you. The outmges proved are shocking to
humanity they admit of
NEITHER EXCUSE NOR QUALIFICATION;
they violated every obligation which law and
nature impose upon men; they show that the
patties engaged we're brutes. insensible to the
Some convictions were had and some punish
ment inflicted but, upon the promise that this
ystem OF terror and crime would not be re-
newed, the prisoners were in due time par
doned. This not the end of il. General
Grant was reelected, and soon after crimes and
violence were renewed against Republicans.
both white and black, in all the cotton States.
In 1875 the House of Representatives. had be-
come Democratic, and in the same year, what
is known as the Mississippi plan was adopted,
and the Republican vote of that State was abso-
suDDreS And again the Presidential
election of 1876 the offenses were revolving as
10 Justify the returning boards in several States,
under the laws of those States, in excluding the
votes OF q number Of counties, parishes and
districts
Since 1875 the Republican party did not pos
sess the power To pass any law for the protec-
ton of life or property in the South, and the
Democratic party would not. 1t oan be truly
said that every atrocity, every political crime,
violence, or wrorg in the South was committed
by Democrats, and the Democratic party uni
formy refused to examine, prevent, punish
in any case any of these crimes.
/ therefore claim for the Republican
party that while it has not been
the South in the enjoyment Of civil rights or
to guard them by military force from gross
wrong and oppression by the dominant and
controlling physical force OF the South acting in
the name and i'm the interests of the Demo-
cratic party, yet that il has done all that il
could lawfully within the limits and powers
given by the Constitution and the laws 70 de-
fend all classes of people
WITHOUT REGARD TO RACE,
cond tion, or creed. II il has failed in any par
ticular IL has been because il was prevented by
and